Participants in the Fair Deal Scheme should be obliged to rent out their houses

[lukas888]

lukas888 - I assume a fee paying a school? Anyway, looking at the principle more widely - What is your view of state contributions (teacher salaries) to fee paying schools ? Should those who can afford to pay for their children's education be "subsidised by my taxes" ?

Yes with boarding school comes fees.Without getting into a debate about the cost to the state of fee paying schools, is not our complete education system at all levels subsidised by the taxpayer.There is no doubt that the fair deal scheme needs reform particularly in the way the home is disregarded after three years.It is ludicrous to continue disregarding an asset after 3 years, that in some cases is worth millions if the owner with no
other assets need nursing home care for many more years.

 

[odyssey06]

lukas888 - I assume a fee paying a school? Anyway, looking at the principle more widely - What is your view of state contributions (teacher salaries) to fee paying schools ? Should those who can afford to pay for their children's education be "subsidised by my taxes" ?

Yes. We should cherish ALL children of the state. The state is not just there to help the poor. It is there to enable all children to fulfil their potential. If some parents can top-up the level of education provided, all well and good to them.

 

[Early Riser]

Yes with boarding school comes fees.Without getting into a debate about the cost to the state of fee paying schools, is not our complete education system at all levels subsidised by the taxpayer.

Although I did not enjoy the "benefit" of fee-paying school myself, I do not have any difficulty with this. I assume part of my taxes goes towards it, as it goes towards all other education. The same principle applies for me here as for nursing home care.

There is no doubt that the fair deal scheme needs reform particularly in the way the home is disregarded after three years.It is ludicrous to continue disregarding an asset after 3 years, that in some cases is worth millions if the owner with no
other assets need nursing home care for many more years.

I agree.

 

[Thirsty]

I see the Irish Times has an opinion piece on this today.

 

[Thirsty]

He is on Jobseekers Allowance and when they visited him and found he had a tenant, they said they would have to reduce the social welfare, so he got rid of the tenant.

And then we complain about the housing crisis.

If a person in employment is entitled to rent a room tax free, I fail to understand why the same allowance doesn't apply to a person on SW.

 

[Gordon Gekko]

And then we complain about the housing crisis.

If a person in employment is entitled to rent a room tax free, I fail to understand why the same allowance doesn't apply to a person on SW.

Social Welfare should be there to help people who have no income of their own. Someone with rent-a-room income has income. By that rationale, someone on a €14,000 a year salary should also get Jobseekers Allowance.

 

[Thirsty]

"Social Welfare should be there to help people who have no income of their own"

There are many SW payments that are not means tested.

The criteria for Unemployment Benefit is that you have PRSI payments to a certain level, you're not working and you are actively seeking work.